Sustainable Business Network
founder and CEO, Rachel
Brown speaks about the
most compelling issues
facing us today.

12

Blackenbrook Vineyard’s wine speaks
for itself

The benefits of natural insulation

Gastric reflux and your children

The preventative approach to asthma

Cool moves at Flow Hot Yoga

The face of hearing impairment

The issue of incontinence

Boosting your immune system

Going gluten free

sustainably managed forests or waste sources.

The battle to breath easy

All mills utilise the Chain of Custody system to

Getting your vision in focus

Dreamwool Beds and a better night’s sleep

28

4 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

It is estimated that one in
seven Kiwis 45 and over
has chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease – that’s
about 200,000 adults.

Disclaimer: This publication is provided on the basis that A-Mark
Publishing is not responsible for the results of any actions taken
on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error
or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby
engaged in rendering advice or services.
A-Mark Publishing expressly disclaim all and any liability and
responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the
consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such
a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or
any part of the contents of this publication.
Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and
as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising
Standards Authority Codes of Practice.
Contents Copyright 2010 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights
reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without
written permission.

11 Sustainability

15 Health

Fighting a silent killer
The battle to breath easy

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Investigate

By Mike Adams

Cell phone towers may be ultimate cause of honeybee population collapse
It’s one of the signs of the approaching
food collapse our world will soon be facing:
honeybees are disappearing at a truly alarming
rate all around the world. Up to 30 percent of
the honeybee population is collapsing in North
America every year, and there’s no end
in sight to “the silence of the bees.”
Honeybees, of course, pollinate about a
third of all the food consumed by first-world
nations. Without them, the global food supply
crashes and food prices skyrocket. The human
population, not surprisingly, would plummet.
Honeybees are absolutely crucial to the chain
of life on planet earth, and they are dying in
record numbers.
Efforts to understand the cause of the
honeybee population collapse (sometimes
called “Colony Collapse Disorder”) have so far
pointed to pesticides, air pollution and even
GMOs. All of those are no doubt important
factors, but new research carried out at the
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology may have
unveiled the real key: cell phone signals.

How cell towers cause honeybee hives
to collapse
Researcher Daniel Favre and his colleagues
performed 83 experiments recording the
reaction of honeybees to cell phones in their
off state, standby state or active talking state.
It turns out that when cell phones are in their
“active” state (sending or receiving signals),
honeybees are strongly disoriented and suffer
from widespread miscommunication that
causes them to stop seeking out food and
begin swarming.
Specifically, their “worker piping” activity
increases by 1,000 percent (10 times). This
was determined with a detailed scientific
approach that’s outlined in his paper at
www.kokopelli.asso.fr.
As Favre explains in his paper, entitled
Mobile phone-induced honeybee worker
piping: “Worker piping in a bee colony is not
frequent, and when it occurs in a colony,
that is not in a swarming process, no more
than two bees are simultaneously active. The
induction of honeybee worker piping by the
electromagnetic fields of mobile phones might
have dramatic consequences in terms of colony
losses due to unexpected swarming.”
Favre went on to tell Fast Company
(www.fastcompany.com) that “Among other
factors such as the varroa mite and pesticides,
signals from mobile phones and masts could
be contributing to the decline of honeybees
around the world. I am calling the international
scientific community for more research in
this field.”
Of course, by the time additional studies
are done, it may simply be too late. If the
honeybee population collapse continues for
just a few more years, pollination of the

global food supply may become nearly
impossible. That will lead to the great
die-off of human beings.

Only Mother Nature can keep us alive, not
science and not technology. And in the end,
when the history of our modern world is fully
written, it will show how the scientists nearly
wiped out the human race through their
arrogance, their mass poisoning of the world,
and their complete disregard for the value
of life.

Funny how that works, isn’t it? Imagine
the narrative of future historians: Humans
multiplied and expanded their cell phone
towers to the point where the pollinators all
died. Then human civilization collapsed and the
cell towers went silent. Within a decade, the
All these things have been carried out under
honeybees were once again prolific
the name of science: Genetically modified
and healthy...
crops, terminator seeds that self destruct,
chemical pesticides, cell towers, water
Honeybees don’t need humans, you see.
fluoridation, mercury fillings, psychiatric drugs
But we need them.
and much more.

The arrogance of science and
technology
In Rome, the scientists manufactured the
municipal water delivery canals and pipes
out of lead, thereby causing the widespread
lead poisoning of the population without even
knowing it.
Science and technology has always come
with a heavy dose of arrogance and willful
ignorance. Today, the pesticide chemical
companies keep producing toxics that poison
our planet, and they keep doing it in the name
of “scientific agriculture”.

Each one of these, in its own way, threatens
the sustainability of life on our planet. And
that’s why “science” as practised today
has become the pathway to our own
self destruction.

About the author:
Mike Adams is a natural health researcher,
author and award-winning journalist with a
mission to teach personal and planetary health
to the public He has authored and published
thousands of articles, interviews, consumers
guides, and books on topics like health and the
environment, reaching millions of readers with
information that is improving personal health
around the world. In 2010, Adams created
NaturalNews.TV, a natural living video sharing
site featuring thousands of user videos on
foods, fitness, green living and more.

Article kindly provided courtesy of
NaturalNews.com

The disappearing honeybees are
merely a symptom of what’s wrong.
The real cancer in our civilization is the
arrogance and widespread destruction of
the scientists who play God with our world
while having absolutely no clue about the
consequences of their actions.

Whether it’s pesticides, cell towers, GMOs or
some other technology, scientists always insist
their technologies are harmless to the natural
world, even while the sixth great extinction is
now under way on planet Earth.
But no one can deny that the collapse of the
honeybees is indeed taking place, and the
beauty of Mother Nature is that when so-called
“scientific advancements” get completely out
of balance with the natural world and actually
become a threat to life on earth, the world has
a way of keeping the expansion of the human
race in check. It’s called population collapse.
And it’s coming soon.
If we could turn off the cell towers, halt the
GMOs, stop the spraying of pesticides and
end the mass pharmaceutical contamination
of our planet, then our honeybees (and other
important animal species) might
have a chance.
But human beings are too shortsighted to
understand their role in causing almost
anything that impacts the delicate web
of life on earth. So humans will deny any
responsibility for their actions, cover up the
truth about what’s really going on, and even
accelerate their own global population collapse.

Science cannot turn a seed into a
living food plant
It will all be led by “science” and “technology,”
of course. And yet all the science in the world
can’t create one scrap of real food that will
keep you alive. Only Mother Nature can grow a
plant from a seed, pollinate it, produce a flower
and then a vegetable or fruit.
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Autumn 2011 | 5

News

There seems to
be a constant
bombardment
of messages
encouraging us to
eat this as opposed
to that, informing us
what is, or more to
the point what isn’t,
good for our health.

feature the Heart Foundation Tick.
Standards for fibre and calcium have
also been added to relevant items.
For example, a “sweet biscuit” must
abide by the following criteria: 600
kJ per serve or less, two grams of
saturated fat or less, a maximum of
0.2 grams per 100 grams of partially
hydrogenated or trans fat, 250 mg of
sodium per 100 grams or less, and
at least one gram of fibre per serve.

There are currently around 1000 foods
across more than 50 supermarket
categories that have successfully
met the criteria. This ranges from
fresh and frozen produce, canned
Going to the supermarket has turned and dried foods, meat, seafood, and
into a somewhat complicated process convenience meals. Even varieties of
of trying to cater to such messages,
the humble fish finger and mince pie
and lingering over confusing
are sporting the Tick.
nutritional information.
The trans-Tasman standards are set
Initiatives such as the Heart
in line with public health priorities,
Foundation Tick have been introduced Government strategies and National
in a bid to simplify this process,
Heart Foundation nutrition policies.
streamlining it so consumers can
Food companies who apply are
easily recognise the familiar red
obliged to pay a licence fee which
and white symbol as a signpost for
covers aspects such as ongoing
healthy eating.
research, random testing, and
But what actually constitutes a
administrative costs. The programme
Healthy Food Tick, and does it lend us is voluntary, so therefore not all
to make the right decisions?
products will feature the label even
though some may qualify.
The strength of the Tick, according
to the Foundation, is in setting
Manufacturers have to meet specified benchmarks for improvement and
standards in regards to saturated fat, encouraging food companies to
trans fat, salt and energy in order to
meet them.

The criteria

“The main principles behind the
criteria are that they must reflect the
nutritional objectives for the category,
and be challenging, yet achievable.
If they are not realistic, then the
food industry will not be encouraged
to reformulate and our efforts to
improve the food supply will be
ineffective.”

What does it mean?

not make regular consumption of
meat pies carrying the Tick a healthy
choice.”

Limitations
Some organisations and nutrition
advocates go so far as to claim
the Tick is working to mislead
consumers, and driving up the price
of some products.

“By tweaking products, where
A large majority of household
shoppers – 89 percent – have bought necessary, and paying for the Tick,
food with the Tick on it at some point, companies gain credibility by linking
their brand to the positive emotions
according to recent data from the
attached to the Heart Foundation.
Heart Foundation. This may be well
The extra cost is passed on to
and good, but does the common
the shopper,” says nutritionist
consumer actually understand what
Dr Rosemary Stanton, quoted in
it means?
a report published online for the
One can accurately assume that
Medical Journal of Australia.
foods bearing the symbol have met
Stanton refers to a brand of rolled
the Foundation’s comprehensive
oats with the Tick that she says is
nutritional criteria, and represent a
healthier choice when compared with nearly five times the price of housebrand oats without the labelling.
other foods in the same category.
“Processed foods that bear the Tick
This is because the product may be
lower in certain components such as almost invariably have a higher price,
while cheaper products in many food
saturated fat and sodium, or higher
categories may have a nutritional
in fibre.
profile at least as good as those with
The important point to remember
the Tick – sometimes better.”
however is it may not be a healthy
item per se. As the Fight the Obesity Auckland University nutrition
Epidemic organisation states: “A meat professor Elaine Rush says while
the Tick is certainly well recognised,
pie with the Tick is healthier than
some other meat pies, but this does one of the concerns is that it is only

applicable to the manufacturers – and
consumers – that can afford it.
“There is a certain bias to the bigger
companies, and while rich people
can afford it [Tick products], those on
lower incomes are really just looking
for taste and price. Also, not everyone
understands that it is awarded for
criteria in a given class of food, rather
than overall.”
Since its conception in 1996 the
Tick programme has significantly
improved the food supply available
to New Zealanders. Simply using Tick
approved margarine instead of butter
on your toast each morning will
remove almost three kilograms of
saturated fat from your diet in
one year.
What constitutes healthy eating in our
modern world is forever changing,
and the old adage still rings true –
moderation is the key.
A simple point to remember says
Rush, is that the supermarket trolley
should act as a control point. “Our
plates should be half vegetables, a
quarter carbohydrate and a quarter
protein. The trolley should look like
that too.”

By Bridget Gourlay

We all know how
important exercise
is to keep your body
fit and healthy. But
how often do we
think about giving our
brains a work out?
Studies have overwhelmingly
shown that using your brain
throughout your life is the key to
staving off dementia.
Dementia is a group of diseases
which cause brain cells to gradually
die, resulting in changes to memory,
thinking, behaviour and emotion.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most
common form of dementia. It has
no known cure and limited
treatment options.
6 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

Alzheimers New Zealand says the
number of people with the disease
is doubling every 20 years. Each
year over 12,000 New Zealanders
are diagnosed with the disease and
some of these people are as young
as 40. So keeping your brain active
isn’t just something the middle aged
need to think about – people of all
ages need to have a healthy mind.
Alzheimers New Zealand says there
are four key things you can do to
prevent dementia. Firstly, challenge
yourself to something a bit tricky!
Do crosswords, Sudoku, brain
teasers, learn a new language
and play card games.
Secondly, be social. Studies show
socially active people are less likely
to get dementia. Alzheimers New
Zealand recommends making a
coffee date with a friend, jumping
on Facebook to connect with friends
or getting involved in a new hobby
group. It also recommends joining its
Facebook page if you are looking for

a way to connect with others. Thirdly,
get fit. Dementia is yet another nasty
disease regular exercise wards off.
It has been proven to better both
your cognitive function and your
mental health.

of things that can be done to keep
the brain in tip top condition,”
explains Care Chemist CEO, Nicolette
McDonald. That advice will be
provided both in-store and through
its monthly healthcare brochure.
Otherwise check out the
Alzheimer’s New Zealand website
http://www.alzheimers.org.nz for
more information.

Lastly, another simple one - eat
well. Snacking on ‘brain foods’
such as omegas 3 and 6 (fish, nuts,
vegetables, olive oil and garlic) are
another dementia preventer. And go
easy on the alcohol - research in UK
journal Alcohol and Alcoholism claims
heavy drinking could be responsible Keep your brain healthy by:
for as many as one in four cases of
• playing scrabble or cards
dementia in the United Kingdom.
• doing a jigsaw or a
Care Chemist, a community
crossword puzzle
pharmacy group, last year launched
• learning a language or
a nationwide campaign to raise
a new skill/hobby
awareness of dementia and memory
loss and to provide information on
• staying social
how to slow down the process.
• exercising regularly
“Memory loss is an increasing
problem with an ageing population
• eating well – a diet high in
but fortunately, there are a number
omega 3 and 6.

News

Whilst their city lay in
ruins, many Christchurch
residents still traipsed
through the broken streets
and piles of rubble to
shop at the Canterbury
Farmers’ Market – just
one week after February’s
devastating 6.3 magnitude
earthquake.
A similar situation occurred in New Orleans
after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, whereby the
local produce market was one of the first
businesses to re-emerge after the disaster.
Such examples are testament to the resilience
and growing importance of the humble
farmers’ market, a concept that is now a
cornerstone in many New Zealand towns
and cities.

By Katie McKone
FMNZ was established in 2005, with the goal
to “spread passion for fresh, local, authentic
food by educating consumers and engaging
with local, regional and national organisations.”
According to FMNZ, the three basic rules of a
farmers’ market are that it sells edible goods
produced within a defined region, is an
edible-only market (arts and crafts are not
allowed), and the goods must be sold by the
producer or somebody involved in production.
An authenticity programme was developed
by the Association in 2009, in a bid to ensure
consistency of standards throughout the
country. Some 60 percent of existing farmers’
markets have signed up to the initiative.

Social and economic benefits
The continuation of the Canterbury Farmers’
Market just days after the earthquake
highlights an important social function, by
way of bringing together and revitalising
communities in the face of adversity.

The vibrant Lyttelton Farmers’ Market has also
now reopened, with local producers servicing
an area currently dealing with the challenge of
Our local food systems have been transformed, limited access to supermarkets or food outlets.
as discerning customers seek producer
Fortune says, “Perhaps the most
authenticity and value. There is something to
underestimated benefit is the social aspect that
be said about buying a carton of free-range
comes from attending a farmers’ market – it is
eggs gathered from the hen house that very
a meeting place as well as a market place.
morning, or freshly picked vegetables still
wearing their cloak of dirt.
“You have that personal aspect that comes
Such an experience can not be had in the
mainstream supermarkets or convenience
stores, where the increasingly important
notions of transparency and sustainability are
somewhat harder to find.

Origins
The first farmers’ market to stake its claim
in New Zealand was Hawke’s Bay in 2000.
Marlborough quickly followed in 2001,
followed by Otago in 2003. Numbers have
since boomed, with 51 currently operating
throughout the country.
In basic terms, the concept can be defined as
a venue for food producers to sell at, covering
a broad spectrum of goods ranging from local
produce to value-added.
Farmers’ Markets New Zealand (FMNZ)
chairman Chris Fortune says the driving force
behind its growth can be attributed to the fact
that people are increasingly looking for a sense
of what is “real” in our modern society.
“Especially with all the recent food scares,
and as the world becomes smaller it is being
beamed into our daily lives through televisions,
cellphones and laptops. I think people begin
to feel overwhelmed by it all and with what is
going on, so they are looking for something to
keep them grounded.”
The fundamental principles of a farmers’
market, says Fortune, are transparency,
authenticity and sustainability. “It is
about supporting local communities, and
empowering them with the venues and the
networks to be self-sustaining.”

from buying goods directly from the farmer,
which cannot be achieved at the supermarket
or more conventional shopping venues.”
Transparency in the product is also a major
draw card says Fortune, in the fact that the
consumer knows exactly what they are
purchasing and, more importantly, where it is
coming from.
From a business sense, the farmers’ market
fosters New Zealand’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Lower overheads, no middleman, minimal
travel costs and better returns are all significant
benefits for vendors.
“It is a viable way for small and medium-sized
producers to sell, and is regarded as a stepping
stone for many food businesses without huge
overheads or compliance costs,” Fortune says.
A 2006 Otago and Massey University study
into the revolution of New Zealand’s
farmers’ markets revealed 72 percent of
Hawke’s Bay stallholders attended because
of product promotion.
Whereas in Whangarei, 30 percent considered
their output too small to sell to supermarkets,
and 21 percent chose to sell direct to
consumers to avoid the middle-men.
The revitalisation of communities is also
occurring in line with the emergence of
farmers’ markets. Locals and tourists alike are
converging on such venues and subsequently
supporting the rural economy – creating a
direct link between town and country.
It is therefore apparent that in our increasingly
frenetic modern world, the humble farmers’
market has become a welcome respite.
www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Autumn 2011 | 7

Life

Many of us are not even
familiar with the name
psoriatic arthritis let alone
how it affects thousands
of people who walk
among us.
A painful and sometimes debilitating condition
whereby a person is suffering from both
psoriasis and arthritis, psoriatic arthritis
generally presents in people aged 35 to 55
years, although it can develop in people of
almost any age.
With ailments including stiffness in the joints
– particularly the hands and feet, as well
as psoriatic plaques; psoriatic arthritis is a
condition that needs educated management.

Understanding psoriatic arthritis
So what is psoritiatic arthritis and how is it
diagnosed? Honorary secretary of the NZ
Rheumatology Association Dr Daniel Ching
provides the definition. “It is an auto-immune
disease or auto-immune inflammatory
condition, which means the immune system
has got its wires crossed and is attacking the
joints and skin – it’s like a civil war going on
in the body. This is a disease that affects men
and women equally and about 6 people per
100,000 each year.”
Psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed on the basis of
signs and symptoms and laboratory analysis.
As the symptoms are similar to other forms of
arthritis, a general practitioner may conduct
tests and refer the patient to a consultant
rheumatologist. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Blood tests to rule out other conditions
• Tests to rule out other types of arthritis
diseases similar to psoriatic arthritis
• Joint fluid tests to eliminate gout
• X-rays to identify changes in bones and joints.

Dr Ching says psoriatic arthritis can present
acutely or insidiously over a longer period of
time. “It is possible to get psoriatic arthritis

before the psoriasis appears. Some people also
have psoriasis without knowing it as they think
they have dandruff.” On average, psoriatic
arthritis will appear approximately 10 years
after the first signs of arthritis.

There are five primary patterns of
psoriatic arthritis
Asymmetric oligoarthritis: This does not affect
people on both sides of their body and usually
affects less than five joints.
Symmetric polyarthritis: This type of psoriatic
arthritis affects joints on both sides of the body
simultaneously. It is similar to rheumatoid
arthritis.
Spondyloarthritis: Characterised by stiffness
and pain in the neck or spine, which is worse
in the mornings and at rest.
Arthritis mutilans: This is characterised by
deforming and destructive arthritis leading to
shortened digits. It is also known as chronic
absorptive arthritis.
Distal interphalangeal arthritis: This condition
is characterised by inflammation and stiffness
in the joints near the ends of the fingers
and toes.
Treatment
Anti-inflammatories
such as Nurofen,
Voltaren and
Naproxen also
known as antiinflammatory
agents and
painkillers
(analgesics such
as Paracetamol) are
generally prescribed as
the first line medication for
psoriatic arthritis.

provide assistance and advice on daily living.
Even if the disease is mild, the patient should
be referred to as a rheumatologist to prevent it
from progressing to a more severe stage.
There have been tremendous advances
during the past 12 years in the treatment of
psoriatic arthritis. The use of new strategies in
combining disease-modifying anti-rheumatic
agents such as methotrexate, sulphasalazine
and leflunomide can stop the disease from
progressing in some patients.
The advent of the biologic era such as tumour
necrosis factor alpha (TNF) inhibitors has
improved the control of this disease, even in
patients with severe disease. At present there
are two TNF inhibitors funded in New Zealand
for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

is much better,” Dr Ching says. “Early and
aggressive treatment will increase the chances
of achieving remission.”
For more information on psoriatic arthritis visit
your general practitioner, a rheumatologist, or
go to www.arthritis.org.nz
Dr Daniel Ching biography
Position: Consultant Rheumatologist based in
Timaru, in both public and private practice.
Qualifications: MB, ChB, FRCP, FRACP.
I run a large Rheumatology Clinical Trials Centre
in Timaru where we trial new anti-rheumatic
therapies such as the biologics and more recently,
the small molecules, intracellular medications. I am
also the Honorary Secretary of the New Zealand
Rheumatology Association.

These are Adalimumab (Humira) which is
given by subcutaneous injections every
fortnight and Etanercept (Enbrel)
which is given by subcutaneous
injections weekly. These TNF
inhibitors have been show to
prevent progression of the
disease and remission is
now possible.
“The thing about psoriatic
arthritis that people
need to know is that if
they get it treated early
they can often stop it
in its tracks and the
outlook

These medications only provide
symptomatic relief and do not stop the
disease from progression although they
are directed at controlling and reducing
inflammation.
For milder conditions that are limited to a
few joints, the joint disease is managed with
NSAIDs, analgesics, sometimes physiotherapy
and in some instances, corticosteroid
injections. Advice can also be sought from a
general practitioner or support groups who can

Positive Speakers’ Bureau Our stories, our experiences, our voices
The aim of the Positive Speakers Bureau is to improve attitudes, reduce stigma and decrease discrimination throughout communities and workplaces by people
living with HIV telling their stories. The speakers are people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, all living with HIV. Their stories are real and thought
provoking. Presented in a professional manner, speakers provide information and share personal stories about their lives. Positive Speakers was created to give
people living with HIV a voice with the aim of reducing HIV and AIDs related stigma and discrimination in the community through telling their stories.
The Positive Speaker Bureau helps to
• Facilitate communication and encourage thought
• Increase understanding of living with HIV and clarify misconceptions
• Provide an interactive face to HIV
• Provide opportunities for questions to be answered
• Speakers are adaptable – whether it be in the corporate, healthcare, education, science and technology, or hospitality setting
This is a free service ……to book a speaker please contact us via email at positivespeakersnz@yahoo.co.nz or call us on 0800 769 848 or 09 309 1858

8 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

Cover Story

For many of us, the word
AIDS conjures up images
of thousands of gay men
dying in the 80s and 90s.
We may occasionally pass an HIV-related safe
sex advertisement at a bus stop, but many
of us are guilty of thinking that today in New
Zealand, HIV and AIDS are no longer an issue.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.
While being diagnosed with HIV isn’t the death
sentence it used to be, the Ministry of Health
estimates nearly 2000 New Zealanders have
it. Along with international trends, there has
been a steady increase in the number of HIV
diagnoses – there are more today than in the
1980s. These people aren’t just drug addicts,
sex workers or gay men, but people from all
walks of life.

By Bridget Gourlay
“Muscle weakness has meant I can’t swim
as much, a pastime and hobby I used to love
and I can’t get out into the garden as much
because I get so breathless. The biggest
change and upset was giving up the job I
loved.”
Fortunately, Jan hasn’t faced any stigma
because of her illness, but she’s all too aware
it’s out there.
“I was never discriminated against, and sadly
that’s probably because of the way I was
infected. I wasn’t a sex worker or a drug addict
or a member of the gay community. People
would say things like ‘you didn’t deserve this’ –
my response is and always will be that no one
deserves this!

to help breakdown the current stereotypes.
Because of the secrecy around HIV, she says
many New Zealanders will know someone
with it even if they think they don’t.
Each year, Positive Women runs an annual
retreat. Jan says it always makes her sad
knowing so many of those women, who
love sharing their stories and being open
during the retreat, go back to a life of
secrecy when it’s over.

Silence for her was never an option.
Jan immediately told all her family
and friends about her HIV status.
Although illness meant she
had to leave her job, she still
volunteers with the local
St John Ambulance and
“I’ve come across a lot of people who have
works tirelessly with
suffered greatly from stigma and discrimination
Positive Women.
and I’ve become passionate about erasing
it. Until we get rid of the stigma that is still
“I’m quite a stubborn
attached to HIV and AIDS people will keep
person,” she reflects on
That’s a message Jan Waddell wants to
on dying.
her nine years of being
put out there. In 2002 she was working
HIV positive. “I refuse
as a phlebotomist, taking blood from an
“They are too afraid to come in and get tested,
to let this virus take
HIV positive patient. While disposing of the
but when they do finally decide to come in and
control of my life. My
needle, she accidently pricked the web of skin
get tested the chances are they will already be
whole attitude is that
between her forefinger and thumb.
sick, and for many it will be too late.”
I have HIV, there is no
Initially, she didn’t think much of it. She
cure, so I’ll damn
This passion has led to her involvement in
followed the procedures in place, took the
Positive Women, an organisation that provides well live with it.”
preventive medication and her six week blood
support to women and families living with and
tests came back negative. Jan wasn’t worried.
What is HIV?
affected by HIV or AIDS and raises awareness
A few weeks later she was struck down by
about it. Jan is worried that people don’t realise Human Immunodeficiency Virus,
what she thought was a bad flu. It got worse
or HIV, is an illness which slowly
how serious HIV still is.
and worse until she got to the stage where she
destroys your immune system.
“Today some people think, if I’m HIV positive
couldn’t lift her head off the pillow.
HIV is not AIDS. Some people
all I have to do is take a few pills and I’ll be
have HIV for years before it
“I was rushed to hospital,” she remembers. “I
fine – it’s not the death sentence a diagnosis
becomes AIDS and feel
had a battery of tests done and the following
used to be. That’s partly true, although there
relatively well.
morning on the 5th April, the doctor came in
are still thousands dying. And it’s still a big
looked at me and said ‘I’m so sorry, Jan, the
deal. What they’re not being told about is all
What is AIDS?
results are positive’.”
the terrible side effects of the drugs and that
Acquired Immunodeficiency
HIV will change their lives as it changed mine.” Syndrome or AIDS is when HIV
That was it. She had HIV. Jan’s life has
has weakened a person’s immune
undeniably changed since that day.
Jan wants more HIV and AIDS education. She
system so much so that it can no
herself travels the country on behalf of Positive
“I certainly don’t do as much because of the
longer fight infections.
Women and the Positive Speakers Bureau,
side effects of the combinations of medicine
talking to medical professionals about safety in
I’ve been on. I’m now on my seventh
the workforce and getting rid of discrimination
combination of HIV medication; I’ve had
and stigma by using people living with HIV as
problems with my liver, kidney stones and
speakers so as to put a face to the illness and
have kidney damage.

We all probably know
someone who is an addict,
or suspect someone of
being one. Be it alcohol,
smoking or gambling,
addictions come in many
different forms and affect
very different people.
The one thing they have in common is that
they destroy lives – not just of the addict
themselves but also of the people around
them such as their family and friends.
Psychologists debate what causes addiction.
Some use their addiction to block the
memories they have of trauma and abuse.
Others become addicts even though they
have led relatively normal lives – leading
some researchers to believe there are people
with addictive personalities who are naturally
predisposed to become addicted to something.
Of course, not everyone who has a problem
with alcohol or drugs is an addict. For example,

someone who hardly drinks at all for several
weeks but then becomes angry and abusive
while drunk one night still has a problem with
alcohol without being addicted to it.
Addiction manifests itself in different ways.
Some people are physically addicted and some
are psychologically addicted. Some are both.
According to www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz, a not
for profit website and helpline for Kiwis with
addictions, a physical addiction is something
that develops through repeated use of a drug
(such as alcohol, heroin, tranquillisers) which
changes body chemistry. It means your body
certain way until you feel you can’t manage
develops a hunger for the drug, which you have
without it. Your mind can get hooked on
to keep feeding.
almost any activity that changes your mood.
Your body develops tolerance to the drug you
It can dominate your thoughts and you can
are addicted to. This means that you will feel
lose control of when and how much you
less affected by the same amount you used in
use. Alcoholdrughelp.org.nz says with a
the past and your body “needs” more and more
psychological addiction, you keep using alcohol
of a hit.
or other drugs even though you’ve already
With a physical dependency, withdrawal
had one or more bad experience, such as
symptoms will occur when a person suddenly
getting your stomach pumped at hospital
stops drinking alcohol or using other drugs. The or being convicted for drunk driving. There
presence of physical withdrawal symptoms
is no drug upon which you cannot become
does not necessarily mean that the person is
psychologically dependent.
addicted.
There is good news. Gone are the days
A psychological addiction is a dependency that when addictions were tolerated or
develops through repeatedly behaving in a
brushed under the rug.

Help is out there, for both addicts and their
family and friends. There are treatment
faculties, residential care, therapists and
support groups all ready to help an addict
change their ways. All you have to do is pick
up the phone and call a helpline or find a
counsellor.
Alcohol Drug helpline: 0800 787 797
Gambling helpline: 0800 654 655
Smoking quitline: 0800 778 778
Youthline: 0800 376633
Lifeline: 0800 543 354

Wellness

Earthquakes shake our
whole world. They move
our houses, schools and
workplaces. They twist our
roads and footpaths. They
jolt us, our friends, our
families and disrupt every
element of our lives.
The earthquake which hit Christchurch on
February, 2011 did this in a very big way.

• Communicate how you are feeling- don’t put
on a brave face
• Look after yourself - eat well, exercise and
avoid alcohol and drugs.
In some cases just doing these sorts of
things won’t make people feel any better-
in that instance it’s important they reach out
and ask for further help and that’s where
Youthline can assist.
The Youthline Christchurch centre was
condemned after the earthquake, but all calls
and texts are being routed to other centres
around New Zealand.

To help young people and their families cope
in the aftermath, Youthline has developed a
support resource looking at the key elements
of grief and trauma and providing an
‘emotional first aid kit’ for those affected.

If you or your child wants to talk with a trained
counsellor you can contact Youthline in the
following ways:

Youthline hopes this gives young people
and their families a tangible resource,
which delivers hope.

Helpline: 0800 37 66 33

In the aftermath of such an event people need
to understand that how they’re feeling may
not be the same as their neighbour feels, but
that’s ok - there is no right or wrong and they
will get through it.
The emotional first aid kit lists practical tips
to help people cope, such as:
10 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

• Know yourself - understand how the
earthquake has affected you

Free TXT: 234

Email: talk@youthline.co.nz

For further advice parents can also contact
parenttalk@youthline.co.nz
If you would like copies of this booklet
email youthlinecsi@xtra.co.nz or view it on
Youthline’s faccebook page
www.facebook.com/youthline.changing.lives

Sustainability

Working with nature,
rather than against it, is
one of the key principles
of this thriving family-run
operation, where grapes
are nurtured from the soil
right through to the bottle.
Established 10 years ago, the 20 hectare
vineyard produces eight grape varieties
ranging from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot
Gris, through to the heady flavours of
Montepulciano and Muscat.
Situated halfway between Nelson and the
Abel Tasman National Park, the region’s
balanced climate and Moutere clay soil is
proving to be a winning combination.

A family affair
Daniel and Ursula Schwarzenbach, both from
Switzerland, moved to the top of the South
Island in 1998 and searched for almost two
years before purchasing their block on the
scenic Coastal Highway.
Nearly a decade later, and there are two,
albeit small, new additions to the team – son
Thomas, seven, and daughter Isabelle, three.
Both play an active part in helping out.

The need to cold-stabilise before bottling
means the process is purposefully done in July.
The winter temperatures mean less energy is
required to achieve optimal results, therefore
lowering power consumption.
The couple have also set up a system whereby
all winery waste water is recycled and used to
irrigate paddocks.
In the vineyard, they no longer use any weed
spray after designing a special under-vine
mowing implement for the tractor. “As a
direct result vine balance and the diversity of
plants and insects throughout the vineyard
have increased. We also use organic seaweed
fertiliser in our bid to work with rather than
against nature,” Ursula says.
Blackenbrook has recently achieved full
accreditation from Sustainable Winegrowing
New Zealand.

“It is important for us to have good equipment.
For example each of our tanks is linked to a
computer-controlled cooling system that allows
us to monitor and adjust the temperature of
each one. This is particularly important during
fermentation.”
Gentleness is a key aspect in the winery, a
philosophy achieved through the minimal use
of mechanical transfers. Whenever possible
gravity is employed, seen in the way the
grapes are lifted up to the press by a forklift
with a rotating head rather than by an orga.
The juice then naturally drains from the press
to the settling tanks and is moved only three
more times before it reaches the bottle.

A host of accolades and awards is testament
to the couple’s hard work and quality of their
product. The Blackenbrook 2007 Sauvignon
Blanc in particular has come up trumps, being
named Best Sauvignon Blanc of the Show at
the prestigious Bragato Wine Awards and the
New Zealand International Wine Show, and
taking the overall trophy from the 2009
Bartho Eksteen Sauvignon Blanc Celebration
in South Africa.
Blackenbrook wines are mainly sold in
restaurants, fine wine shops and through the
thriving mailing list.
Whilst already exporting into Switzerland, the
Netherlands, Singapore and Australia, they
have just landed their first order from Japan
and are working hard on establishing a strong
presence in this market.

Quality prevails
All the fruit is carefully hand picked and
selected, and the winemaking process is
extremely gentle.

“We don’t over-press and we don’t do extra
Working with state of the art machinery allows pumping. By simplifying our processes we
have minimal bitterness pick up and as a
for a more efficient and controlled production
process, and one that ensures optimum quality. consequence we don’t have to fine,”
says Ursula.
The couple have imported a lot of their
“It means our wines don’t have the classic
equipment from Europe, and emphasise the
fining agents added such as fish, milk or egg,
importance of innovation.

Technology

and reach your glass as a very natural, vegan
friendly product with minimal additives.”

Maintaining a hands-on, personalised approach
sets Blackenbrook apart from the larger,
commercialised brands. “We make all of our
decisions and therefore have total control over
the quality,” says Ursula, who focuses on the
marketing side of the business.
Not all of the land is currently under vine,
leaving room to expand production according
to market demand. The aim however, is to
remain reasonably small and in control.

Pleased to support
Blackenbrook Vineyard

The couple still take pride in putting their own
stamp on every single bottle of wine they
produce.

Sustainability
The gravity-fed winery is a direct reflection
of what the Schwarzenbach’s strive for at
Blackenbrook – to have minimal interference
with nature, ultimately resulting in “pure and
genuine” wines.
Nestled into the hillside in the middle of the
vineyard, the winery is therefore extremely
well insulated making cooling and heating
more efficient.

They say travel changes
you. That’s certainly true
for Sustainable Business
Network (SBN) founder
and CEO, Rachel Brown.
As a New Zealand-raised child, her
schoolteacher parents encouraged her
do sediment sampling in local mangrove
swamps. The family went sailing around the
top of the North Island, admiring its pristine
environments. And she was hugely inspired by
her lecturer Jeannette Fitzsimons at university.
But on her OE, she saw real poverty and rivers
black with pollution. When she returned to
New Zealand, she was determined not to let us
go down the same path.

What was SBN like in its origins in
2002 compared to today?
“We began in a small office above Ecostore
in Auckland. We had only two staff members
and we focused on why sustainability was
important to business. We had to explain
the connection between environmental and
social issues and demonstrate the business
case for sustainability.
Membership took off between 2006 and
2009. For example, in 2007, membership grew
40 percent. The then Labour Government
recognised the trend and the growing
demand for better environmental and social
performance from key industries like food,
tourism and exports so had a number of
programmes in place to future-proof our
business and economy.

the nation’s biggest spenders this had a huge
impact on business. 2008 saw the recession, a
change of government, and a shift away from
sustainability. When National came to power,
SBN, along with a number of other NGOs lost
its funding. It’s been a challenging process,
one which many businesses and NGOs have
had to go through. SBN had to rethink how we
operated – we became more commercial and
refocused on supporting our membership. It
was a good reminder about what we are really
here to do. There’s always a silver lining to
change and the loss of Government funding
has meant we can focus solely on members
rather than reporting to Government.”

By Bridget Gourlay
services seem to come from small business
– these guys are truly inspiring and we
want to encourage more SMEs to join. Our
membership fees are based on turnover.

For example, if a small plumbing business
wanted to join, annual fees would amount
to $300, and the payback could easily be
recouped within the first six months if they
were actively involved. Through the network
the plumber might be introduced to many
Do businesses join purely for
environmental reasons, or do they see more efficient methods for capturing rainwater,
it as cost-cutting and a marketing tool reducing water usage in homes, and perhaps
even meeting new customers interested in
as well?
having sustainable homes.
“The bulk of those who become SBN members
join for business reasons. A smaller percentage,
say 10 percent, join purely because of values.
Most want support from the Network and
to hear from other members about their
experiences and the business benefits they
have achieved.
I’ve been in this area for a long time now
and have seen a lot of change in that time.
Businesses are becoming seriously well
informed and are integrating sustainability into
their visions and strategies.
They are asking big questions like ‘What are
the big social issues that need solving?’ and
‘What is our role in that?’ as well as ‘How do
you get to zero waste when infrastructure isn’t
supporting that?’ They are interested in unusual
collaboration because they recognise the way
we have done business in the past is not how
we solve these future problems.

They introduced Govt3, a government-wide
purchasing policy which asked suppliers to
SBN has traditionally been a membership
demonstrate their environmental and social
of homegrown, small and medium sized
commitments prior to winning contracts. As
enterprises. The most novel new products or
12 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

The networking aspect is very important.
Once known as a ‘green-leaning’ plumber, that
might appeal to a larger business member
who could employ them to work on a new
‘green’ building project.”

How is a business’ environmental
impact different to households?
“It depends on the business type and its
size. Business impact tends to be much
greater than households. For many it’s energy
and transport, for others it maybe the raw
materials they use.
For example, as fuel prices rise, an efficient
taxi company would focus on its vehicles
using CARCULATE to redesign their fleet into
a safe and efficient one. We could encourage
them to consider sustainable driving courses so
the drivers can learn how to use less fuel. They
may look at biofuels or join the Carbon4Good
programme to offset their carbon emissions
and support local communities with
tree planting.”

What do you think is the greatest
environmental challenge facing New
Zealand right now?
“Right now I think it is probably rebuilding
Christchurch. Hopefully this rebuild can be used
as a model for addressing New Zealand’s urban
design, energy and water problems.
Our homes and commercial buildings are very
inefficient and our car-focused urban planning
means inefficient transport systems burning up
more oil and releasing more carbon into the
atmosphere. The rebuild is an opportunity to
make Christchurch the most sustainable ‘green’
city in the country and potentially the world.
We could even go as far as having new
buildings which generate power, be located in
the right places to encourage active modes of
travel, the streets could be designed for people
– not for cars. This is a great opportunity to
realise urban planning for a future beyond oil.”

And the greatest environmental
challenge facing the world?
“Definitely climate change. It is the result of
how we live, work and commute and it affects
everything. Climate change hits us – socially
and economically- it also impacts biodiversity
and ecological systems.
Whether humans can adapt to the
changes coming our way and recreate how
we live, work and play to have a positive
impact on natural systems is the greatest
test of our time.”
For more information, visit
www.sustainable.org.nz

Sustainability

We all know that proper
insulation in your home
will save on your energy
bills and provide a drier,
more comfortable,
healthier living
environment. But wouldn’t
it be great to achieve this
with insulation made in
a sustainable way from
natural resources?

without emitting toxins. And because wool is
so durable, it does not need to be replaced or
topped up – it will probably last the lifetime
of your house. By contrast, the glass fibres in
fibreglass insulation break down over time,
causing the insulation to slump, meaning it
loses its effectiveness.

dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Wool molecules
bind together with these molecules in such a
way that reemission does not occur, filtering
your air and making it cleaner to breathe.

Terra Lana wool insulation

• Will not irritate your skin, lungs or throat
Ceiling, wall and underfloor insulation act as a
• Doesn’t require gloves or protective
natural heater and air conditioner. When the
clothing for installing
temperature drops and the amount of moisture
• Will not cause irritation to lungs or throat
in the air increases, the wool absorbs this,
releasing heat into your home.
• Contains no harmful substances
That’s where Terra Lana, a wool based
insulation manufacturer steps in. Unlike other
On a hot day, it’s the opposite; the wool gives
• Is non-allergenic and non-toxic
insulation which is made in an unsustainable
off moisture into the air, absorbing energy,
• Is rodent, insect and moth resistant
way and can release harmful toxins and
thereby cooling your home. This reduces
particles into your home, Terra Lana’s products condensation and mould – your health will
• Is naturally resistant to mould
do the opposite.
thank you! Inert mineral and synthetic fibres do
not have this property and therefore are not as • Absorbs pollutants
Firstly, the wool used in Terra Lana’s carpets
effective at buffering changes in temperature
• Is durable and long-lasting
is either low grade virgin wool or waste wool
and moisture.
from the textile and carpet industries. The
• Heats and cools the house naturally
sheep wool is completely biodegradable, and
On top of all of this, Terra Lana natural
• Is from wool which biodegrades
the melt bond fibre which holds the insulation wool insulation also traps substances like
when composted.
together is polyester, which decomposes safely formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), nitrogen

When you are building or renovating a home,
you’ll be the one living there so don’t leave
the selection of materials to someone else.
Tell your architect or builder you want Terra
Lana natural wool insulation. Your family, the
environment and future generations will thank
you for it.

Cashew nuts are little
bundles of goodness.
Native to South America,
cashew trees are today
grown around the world
and the nuts (actually
seeds) are found in
most New Zealand
supermarkets.
Nuts get a bad rep for being fatty, but studies
are showing this isn’t true - actually, eating
nuts twice a week aids weight loss. Cashew
nuts are particularly good as 75 percent of
the monosaturated fat found in them is ‘oleic

acid’ – the good stuff in olive oil. They are
also cardio protectors by being chocked full of
antioxidants.
We all know how important calcium is for
our bones, but magnesium is just as vital.
Insufficient magnesium can contribute to high
blood pressure, muscle spasms (including
spasms of the heart muscle or the spasms
of the airways symptomatic of asthma),
and migraine headaches, as well as muscle
cramps, tension, soreness and fatigue.
The other great thing about cashews is that
they are rich in copper. Yes, copper. It’s not
something you think would be important to
ingest, but numerous health problems can
develop when copper intake is inadequate.
These include iron deficiency anaemia,
ruptured blood vessels, osteoporosis, joint
problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, brain
disturbances, elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol
and reduced HDL (good) cholesterol levels,

irregular heartbeat, and increased
susceptibility to infection.
Twenty years of dietary data collected on
80,000 women from the Nurses’ Health
Study shows that women who eat least one
ounce of nuts, peanuts or peanut butter
each week have a 25 percent lower risk of
developing gallstones.
Most importantly, cashews are delicious!
Sprinkle them on a curry, toss them through a
stir-fry, or just munch on them as a snack.
Your body will thank you!

“If you eat your carrots,
you’ll be able to see in
the dark.” Every child gets
told that by their parent at
some stage, but believe
it or not there is a (really,
really tiny) grain of truth to
this old wives’ tale.

Easy on the mouth, not so
easy on the nose. Most of
us know garlicky food as
something we eat, enjoy,
then quickly go and brush
our teeth after, well before
we kiss our loved one
good night. But other than
being a burst of flavour in
cooking, garlic has other
good points.

It has been used by ancient Greek, Egyptian
and Chinese cultures to treat a multitude of
illnesses. Historically it has been used to treat
gangrene in World War One and Two and to
ward off scurvy, because it is high in Vitamin C.
Today’s scientists are doing research into
garlic’s effects on the heart. It has been found
to lower blood pressure and garlic is clearly
able to lower our blood triglycerides and total
cholesterol, even though this reduction can be
moderate.
Most importantly, garlic protects blood cells
and blood vessels from inflammatory and
oxidative stress – which are factors in causing
heart attacks.
Research is being done into how garlic also
helps prevent clots from forming inside of our
blood vessels.

14 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

types of fruit. The body doesn’t make lutien so
you need to eat it.
Lutien is good for your eyes and your skin – it
does this by filtering ‘blue light’ by as much
as 90 percent. Blue light, which occurs indoors
and outdoors, is believed to cause health
problems in the human organs exposed to it,
such as the eyes and skin. That’s why research
has found that a lutien-rich diet lowers your
risk of developing cataracts and macular
degeneration.

An antioxidant called lutien is found in
vegetables; particularly dark green leafy ones.
It’s also found in corn, egg yolks and some

Lutein may also be good for your heart
– it could help prevent or slow down
atherosclerosis, the thickening of arteries. So
you might not be able to see in the dark – but
avoiding cataracts is definitely a bonus.

Research reported by the BBC in 2007 has
also found it could help prevent the common
cold, which won’t surprise herbal medicine
enthusiasts who know it has been used for
treating hoarseness and coughs for years.
There are also encouraging studies into its
ability to ward off cancer and to help us
metabolise iron.

Chopping or crushing brings out the ‘allicin,’
which the compound garlic’s health benefits
are attributed to. In order to allow for maximal
allicin production, wait at least five minutes
before eating or cooking the garlic after
chopping and crushing it. Garlic can be added
to so many dishes – curries, stirfrys, soups and
in dressings and dips.

Health

Gastric Reflux (GR) is
the spilling of stomach
contents back up the
oesophagus (throat).
This is very common in
infants and a cause of the
“baby badge” or worse
– a complete change of
clothes for baby and carer.
As long as it isn’t causing
pain to the baby and the
baby is growing well, there
is no medical treatment
needed but it can still be
quite isolating to parents
who are scared to leave
home because of the
inevitable “milk bath”.

By Roslyn Ballantyne
Gastric Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is
when Gastric Reflux does cause complications
such as burning pains in the throat, refusal to
feed, failure to thrive or breathing problems.
GORD needs medical treatment.
It’s not always as straightforward as it sounds
though and this is why the website Crying
Over Spilt Milk was set up by the Gastric Reflux
Support Network New Zealand for Parents of
Infants and Children (GRSNNZ).
When GRSNNZ members were asked for
their experiences on GR and the support
they received, Zalie had this to say: “Being a
second time mother I thought I had GR sussed
and under control as my first daughter also
suffered from it!

I found www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz to be an
amazing website and a wealth of knowledge
for me in dealing with GORD for the second
time! I’ve trawled the site from back to front
numerous times and suggest others do also!
So much assurance I’m doing the right thing
with my upset baby has come from info found
on there!”
Nicola responded: “As a new mum I really
didn’t realise that my baby’s screams weren’t
normal until others commented in horror
on how he seemed to be in pain. I was
devastated! The doctor said he had reflux and
would be fine. The doctor didn’t hear the
screaming for hours at a time each time!

“My second daughter was a completely
different ball game and her GORD was much
more severe than the first. Daughter number
two was a ‘failing to thrive’ baby. She refused
to feed and eventually ended up in hospital.
She is now a happy six-month-old who is
finally being well medicated.

“I found the Crying Over Spilt Milk website
after spending a lot of time researching reflux
and ways to help my son… it was the first site
where practical tips were offered that I could
do at home to ease his pain. The tips have
changed both our lives (along with knowing
we are not alone in this) and I am so so
grateful this site exists!”

“Coming from a small isolated town there
wasn’t much knowledge/support with GORD,
even the GPs are blissfully unaware of signs,
symptoms, medication and other treatments!

If you think your baby has symptoms of GORD,
discuss this with a health professional and
visit www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz for more
information. If a diagnosis of GORD is made

please join GRSNNZ (electronic form is on
the website). Membership is free and phone
support is also available.
There are also well researched, written and
referenced information on treatment plans and
medications that many doctors use as a guide.
This has been approved by a paediatrician.
Please do not make any changes to your child’s
treatment yourself but feel free to print charts
etc. and take them along to appointments
with you.

Roslyn Ballantyne is the South Island
regional coordinator of Crying Over Spilt Milk
Gastric Reflux Support Network New Zealand
for Parents of Infants and Children Charitable
Trust (GRSNNZ)

Dramatic Improvement
for Liam following Dore
Having to sit still in class, and especially at assembly,
was tremendously difficult for 10-year-old Liam
Patten in his first three years at school. Being aware
that he struggled with ADHD, his teachers tried to
assist with different approaches, but they were not
successful and Liam came to dislike school. He found
it very hard to concentrate on his work. He would try
to do tasks but fail at them and that impacted on
his self-esteem.
Then, two and a half years ago Liam’s mother,
Kathryn, enrolled him on the Dore programme after
reading an article in her local newspaper about
Dore. The programme offered a drug free, exercise
based treatment programme that could help people

suffering from ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and
Asperger’s Syndrome.
Although he found some of the exercises fun, the
requirement to do exercises for 10 minutes twice
a day was quite hard work for Liam. But as he
progressed through the programme Kathryn noticed
a dramatic change in her son. “He seemed to mature
overnight, and he took more responsibility for things
at home and at school. His reading had improved
significantly and he became a library assistant so he
could get first dibs at the new chapter books that
came into the library.”
Liam now finds it much easier to sit still and is far
better at concentrating. This makes school work
much easier and he always wants to go to school
now. Liam now enjoys learning from books and is
constantly cooking and doing science experiments.
He has learned which things he is good at and those
things which require more application.
He sets himself tasks and can achieve them
without disappointment.
Liam recently completed his first cycling race,
which he did with his Dad, setting himself a training
schedule and sticking to it. He has come a long
way since starting on the Dore Programme and
Kathryn says when looking at her son now he seems
no different to the others in his class – a dramatic
improvement from two years ago.

www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Autumn 2011 | 15

Have you ever asked yourself...
Is there more cancer around these days? Why are there more pregnancy issues, infertility,
or miscarriages? Why do more kids have ADHD now? Is male sexual dysfunction more
prevalent now? What damage are we doing to our planet by using plastic? What’s causing

What is BPA (Bisphenol A)?
BPA is widely used to make polycarbonate plastics
such as those in baby bottles, water bottles and
compact disc cases and is an ingredient in the
resins used to line food cans. The chemical has
been shown to leach into food or water. To see
a complete definition of BPA, please go to www.
safebottles.co.nz. The following is a direct quote
from Food Standards Australia New Zealand
(FSANZ). As you will see they acknowledge that
BPA and other chemicals do leach into food and
liquid. However, they also say that it’s not proven
to be harmful and doesn’t cause cancer.
“In some circumstances, chemicals in food
packaging can migrate into the food product
and vice versa, depending on the nature of the
packaging and the food contained within.”
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
“the most toxic chemical known to man.”
Dr Frederick Vom Saal

The facts on BPA
The following are quotes relating to BPA and
chemicals found in plastic water bottles. To
see the full quote and source, please visit our
website, www.safebottles.co.nz
In men the oestrogen mimicking
effects of BPA have been known to
block some of the more important
effects that testosterone has on
sexual functioning. Those who were
exposed to BPA were four times more
likely than those who were not exposed to report
some sort of sexual dysfunction. Associate Professor of
Department of Reproductive Sciences - Yale

But even though PETE (used in many plastic
bottles) doesn’t contain BPA (as seen on 60 Minutes
9/6/2010), it does contain other chemicals called
phthalates - which are also believed to be endocrine
disruptors. Mindfood.com
Like BPA, these chemicals leach into
the water more quickly when the
plastic is heated, so don’t leave these
water bottles in a hot car or out in
the sun. A potentially deadly toxin is
being absorbed into bottled mineral

water from their plastic containers.
And the longer the water is stored,
the levels of poison increase,
research reveals.

There are enough warning signs
to show the need to act sooner
rather than later. There are growing
concerns about bottled water in
particular in plastic bottles. The safest
option is stainless steel. Breastchek.co.nz

Jo Knowsley

Our findings suggest that exposure
to low-dose BPA may have widespread effects on
brain structure and function. The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) continues to classify BPA as
safe, basing its ruling only on the findings of two
industry-funded studies.
There are over 200 independent scientists, not in
conflict financially with this chemical (BPA), saying
we find it relating to obesity, prostate cancer, breast
cancer, diabetes, brain disorders such as attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, liver disease, ovarian
disease, disease of the uterus, low sperm count for
men and the list goes on. David Gutierrez Natural News
After years of insisting Bisphenol-A (BPA) posed
no threat to the health of babies, six larger
manufacturers of baby bottles have announced they
will stop shipping new baby bottles made with the
chemical. Mike Adams, Natural News
A 2007 review of 700 studies involving BPA,
published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology,
found that infants and foetuses were the most
vulnerable to adverse effects from this toxic
substance. C W Randolph, MD
The researchers indicated that such damage is
a possible predictor of reproductive diseases in
women, including fibroids, endometriosis, cystic
ovaries and cancers. Earlier studies linked low dose
BPA to female reproductive-tract disorders, as
well as early-stage prostate and breast cancer and
decreased sperm counts in animals. Andreas Moritz
In 2004, one researcher counted up all of the studies
done to date on just BPA. Of 104 studies done by
independent researchers, 94 found adverse effects.
Donna Jackson Nakazawa

The latest study showed that women with a history
of miscarriages were found to have higher levels of
BPA in their bodies. The women who
had miscarriages were found to have
BPA levels on average about three
times higher than women who had
successfully given birth. David Steinman

The National Toxicology Program of the National
Institutes of Health concluded that there is
“some concern” that BPA may cause problems
in foetuses, babies and children, including breast
or prostate cancer early onset of female puberty,
attention deficit disorder and other problems of the
reproductive and neurological systems. David Gutierrez
Bisphenol A is such a dangerous chemical that I
have no doubt it will one day be banned from all
food and beverage products. Frederick vom Saal
The following are countries which have taken action
against BPA - Canada, Denmark, Belgium and
France - so far.
Those with the most BPA in their urine had nearly
three times the risk of heart disease more than twice
the risk of diabetes, as well as signs of liver damage.
Unfortunately, the levels of BPA that were associated
with disease are within the EPA’s industry-friendly
levels of safety.” Byron Richards
The following research is by world expert Dr William
Shotyk - who has vowed never to drink bottled
water again - “I don’t want to shock people but
here’s what I know: Antimony is being continuously
released into bottled drinking water. The water in
PET bottles is contaminated”.
Antimony finds its way into water by ‘leaching’
from the plastic in the same way that water absorbs
flavour from a tea bag. Jo Knowsley
If you have a baby that you are formula feeding,
you are likely to be exposing your child to BPA
through the formula itself, which is almost assuredly
packaged in a BPA-lined can. Aaron Turpen
In most countries, BPA is legal in food storage including baby bottles, containers and so forth. Very
few companies are using BPA-free
containers for anything. Aaron Turpen
To see each of the quotes in full
and the source please go to
www.safebottles.co.nz

The effects of plastic on the environment are already
well documented...but what about the effects of plastic
on our bodies?
Research is showing that under special circumstances, certain
chemicals from plastic bottles and containers are able to leach
into the water (or food) held within. One such culprit is a toxic
chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical with estrogen
mimicking effects that is linked to obesity, diabetes, breast
cancer and hyperactivity. Another two common toxic chemicals
present in plastic bottles are antimony and phthalates.
Make a change for the better. Buy stainless steel
BPA-free SafeBottles and reduce the impact of plastic
on the environment and our bodies.

For more information and to see the full range of
SafeBottles, please visit www.safebottles.co.nz or call
our friendly team on 0800 777 444 or text SAFE to 244.

The Chief Executive of the
Asthma Foundation,
New Zealand’s authority on
asthma, says we need to
take a more preventative
approach to asthma.
Angela Francis, who replaced Jane Patterson in
March, says her organisation is moving much
more into the preventative space.

That’s how many New Zealand children live
with the challenges, fears and disadvantages
of asthma.
The Asthma Foundation has calculated
estimated children’s asthma prevalence figures
for New Zealand’s regions as well, which will
shock many New Zealanders. The figures are
based on one in four New Zealand children
having asthma and census 2006 regional
population numbers.For example in Auckland,
it’s estimated about 70 000 children have
asthma (nearly as many people as in the
Rodney District) and in Wellington about
23000, or the population of Johnsonville.

“We have entered a new era. We are working
hard and smart to improve respiratory health.
We are lobbying government for healthier
homes and better laws to fight the scourge
In the 2009/2010 year, there were 4618
of cigarette smoking. For example, through
hospitalisations in New Zealand with asthma
our work as part of the Smokefree Coalition,
listed as the primary cause among 2 to 16 year we’ve seen some recent results with the
olds, up from 4430 the previous year and 3524 announcements about making New Zealand
in 2007/2008.
Smokefree by 2025 and banning
cigarette displays.
“And, this is not just about numbers, but
children’s everyday lives. We’re committed
“We’re also stepping up our efforts to urge
to alleviating the fear, pain and disadvantage
people to manage their asthma through, for
that children with asthma face. The wheezing; example, reducing their exposure to asthma
the breathlessness; the days off school. The
triggers such as dust mites and sudden
sudden, scary trips to hospital,” Angela says.
changes in temperature. We will continue
Recent Ministry of Health figures reveal that
asthma hospitalisations among New Zealand
children have increased.

To put the prevalence of asthma into
perspective: imagine that every,single person
in Hamilton has asthma.

funding research into treatments and educate
on best practice, but prevention is where the
new health thinking is and we need to be part

18 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

of that, if we are to serve New Zealanders
with asthma well.
“We ask that parents and caregivers of
children with asthma make sure that their
child has a child asthma plan, which
they and the child can fill out with
a health professional [these
plans are available at
www.asthmafoundation.org.nz.
Also parents need to have their
children immunised against
influenza each year. Children
are encouraged to use their
preventer medications as
prescribed too rather than
just relying on their relievers
when their asthma gets bad.”

Malcolm Aitken
Communications
Manager
The Asthma Foundation

Health

A new, beautifully
appointed yoga facility
is drawing people from
all over Christchurch, as
they quickly realise the
benefits of its range of
heated classes.
Flow Hot Yoga in Riccarton was recently
established by experienced yoga instructors
Greta Pattison, Victoria Pomeroy and Jessica
Smith, to meet a need for more variety in the
styles of yoga available in Christchurch.
The studio, formally opened by worldrenowned yoga instructor Donna Farhi on
February 4, caters for all ages and levels of
experience, it aims to bring a sense of balance
in body and mind, assisting in recovery from
injury and building strength and wellbeing.
“Yoga is not only for people who regard
themselves as flexible,” Pomeroy says. “At
Flow Hot Yoga people are entirely supported
and are not working beyond their comfort or
healing edge. The important thing is to make
friends with our bodies rather than break away
from them.”
Hot Flow is regarded as the studio’s signature
class, optimising the benefits of practising
yoga in a heated environment of 40 degrees
Celsius. Power Vinyasa, Yin and pre-natal yoga
classes are also held regularly. The concept is
both dynamic and challenging. The three
Bikram-trained owners, together with their
teachers, bring flair and knowledge to their
individual classes.
The studio is open seven days a week and
offers up to five sessions each day, from as
early as 6:15am.

Why the heat?
Practicing yoga in a heated environment
allows for the elimination of toxins through
perspiration, whilst increasing flexibility
and mobility of the body. The heat supports
practitioners’ bodies as they perform poses,
allowing them to relax and making their bodies
more malleable and reducing the risk of injury.

that the heat does not become oppressive.
Fresh air from outside is constantly circulated
into the yoga room so the air is never stagnant.
“People leave the facility feeling invigorated
and full of endorphins,” Smith says, adding that
the heat does not result in lethargy.

Excellent amenities
Upon entering Flow Hot Yoga it is immediately
apparent that every measure has been taken
to create a quality, state of the art facility.
The studio itself is a haven of tranquillity, with
natural oils permitting a faint scent that is
pleasant yet not overpowering. The spacious
bathrooms are beautifully appointed, allowing
customers to shower and change after class in
comfort.
Proud to call themselves “clean freaks”, the
team at Flow Hot Yoga are conscious about
the environment of the studio and bathrooms.
The facility is cleaned daily with natural,
hypoallergenic products.

Transformation
Pomeroy says it is encouraging to see people
leave a session at Flow Hot Yoga with “pure
enjoyment” on their faces. “It is just wonderful
to see that transformation on a daily basis.”
Each style of yoga taught at the studio aims
to work through the entire body, improving
posture, strength and mobility as well as
bringing calm and content to the mind.
New customers can purchase an introductory
pass giving them unlimited yoga at the studio
for two weeks. This enables people to sample
the different styles on offer and discover which
classes meet their needs.
“Our challenge as teachers is that these people
continue to come back after the two weeks,
as we want them to love yoga like we do,”
Pomeroy says.

With the exception of pre-natal classes, all
sessions are heated. Yin and Power Vinyasa
classes are cooler than the Hot Flow classes,
with temperatures ranging from the low
thirties to the mid forties.

A conversation with a deaf person is just the
same as having a conversation with a hearing
person – the key is to discover what techniques
work best. Deaf people use different
communication tools and there are several
ways you can communicate with deaf people
to effectively get a message across.
Deaf people communicate visually so
gesturing, facial expression and body
language is very important.
Here are some tips that will help you
communicate easily with deaf people:
• Face the Deaf person and get their attention
before speaking. Remember to maintain eye
contact… don’t turn away when watching
them sign to you

• Deaf people wait for the person who is
signing stop before the next person signs
• Dim light makes it hard to see facial
expressions and NZSL. Make sure the light
is in front of you – try not to stand in front
of a window
• Avoid background noise when communicating 1. Get help
with someone with a hearing aid
If you have a sudden severe hearing loss, see
• Speak clearly and a little more slowly and
a doctor urgently. If you have some hearing
rephrase rather than repeat
loss, and your hearing doesn’t return to normal
• Use simple gestures, write information down within two days, see your doctor.
and point of indicate subjects or objects
2. Avoid foreign objects
• Learn NZSL!
There are culturally polite ways to interrupt a
signed conversation. For example:

• If you didn’t understand what a person signed
• Wait for a small pause before interrupting
to you get them to sign it again. It’s ok to
check clarify, tell them to slow down
• Wave or tap the shoulder lightly and then
wait for the person to look
• Keep lips and face clear of obstruction
(eg – hands, cups, large moustaches).
For more information go to www.deaf.org.nz
• Deaf people ask for attention by waving,
stamping, touching or tapping one another,
or switching lights on and off

This information has been kindly supplied
by Deaf Aotearoa.

Don’t put foreign objects into your ear canal.
The wax in your ear canal will make its own
way to your outer ear. You can clean your outer
ear with a warm flannel, or have the wax
removed by your doctor.
3. Use water sport protection
During high speed water sports like water
skiing, wear a swim cap or approved
swimmer’s earplugs.
4. Avoid noise damage
Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure
to loud noise.

• In conversation, every contact is very
important and people need sufficient
personal space for arm movements

5. Use safety gear

• Deaf people can’t interrupt conversations the
way hearing people can. They need to see
what is being said, so they can only
pay attention to one person at a time

Always wear safety approved earplugs or
earmuffs when mowing the lawn, using
power tools, shooting a gun or in any noisy
environment.

6. Dive carefully
Too much change in air pressure while scuba
diving can cause inner ear damage, dizziness
and hearing loss. Equalise regularly during
descent. If you are having difficulties seek
professional advice before you dive again.
7. Avoid loud music
Listen to music at sensible volume. Don’t
have the volume up too loud for long periods,
especially on a personal stereo when you are
using headphones.
8. Avoid flying with a heavy cold
Avoid flying if you have a heavy cold. Ears
may be unable to clear during changes in
air pressure and this could lead to a ruptured
eardrum or inner ear damage.
9. Act on ear infections
If you or your child has an earache, see the
doctor. Earaches are often a sign of an ear
infection which, if not treated, can lead to
hearing loss. Keep a careful eye on children
up to age 10 as they are more likely to have
middle ear problems.

THE FACE OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Hearing Impairment: The Profile
You’re 8 years of age and in class,
hearing what the teacher is saying;
you can hear your fellow students,
but you struggle to understand them.
By the time you’ve deciphered the
speech, the discussion has moved on,
your teachers think you are a little
“slow” while your classmates aren’t
really sure what to make of you. Your
auditory processing disorder means it
takes your brain longer to make sense
of speech, but the teacher and your
friends don’t really understand that.
That’s the face of Hearing Impairment.

Hearing Impairment: The Profile
You’re in your teens and have just
learned you are eligible for a state
funded Cochlear Implant (bionic ear).
You have an unending list of queries
but the excitement at the possibility
of hearing far outweighs the fear of
the unknown.
That’s the face of Hearing Impairment.

Hearing Impairment: The Profile
You’re in your mid-40s, married with
dependent children, but despite
attending dozens of interviews, you
can’t get a job as you are competing
against other candidates who have
considerably less experience and
skills but they are valued more than
you because your hearing loss makes
it impossible to use the telephone,
and you struggle in meetings. Your
husband is under stress from working
long hours and things are tight
financially. You struggle to hear your
children, especially when they’re all
there at once, and you sometimes

feel you are losing contact with them.
Increasingly, you feel disconnected,
lonely and useless.
That’s the face of Hearing Impairment.

Hearing Impairment: The Profile
You’re in your 50s, you’ve struggled
for years with deteriorating hearing
but have managed to hang on to your
job by compensating and going the
extra yards. Your employers and your
your family have struggled through
the frustration, they’ve stood by you.
You are one of the lucky ones and
have been offered a cochlear implant
which has turned your life around; you
can use the phone again for the first
time in years and you can hear again
in meetings.
That’s the face of Hearing Impairment.

Hearing Impairment: The Profile
You’ve in your 60s and worked all your
life in a noisy environment and hearing
protection was not offered and now your
hearing and your family are suffering.
You struggle to hear in at social functions,
so you avoid them; you have the TV so
loud your family can’t stay in the same
room; ACC declined your application for
hearing aid funding and the Ministry of
Health funding comes to only $1000.
You have limited savings to cover
emergencies so you opt for caution, and
give the hearing aids a miss.
That’s the face of Hearing Impairment.

For thousands of New Zealanders,
these examples are the realities of
their daily lives and we have people
available for interview.

20 | Autumn 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

Hearing Impairment is invisible, but the
price tag comes not just in dollars, but
in lost opportunities, daily struggles,
frustration, anger, isolation, relationship
breakdowns, and, more often than
we like to acknowledge, bullying and
eventually despair.

It is a measure of how much we
neglect the Hearing Impaired in New
Zealand in that we don’t even have
precise numbers on how many New
Zealanders are affected.
Research from 2001 shows one in
10 New Zealanders has a hearing
loss which on the current population
makes the total 450,000. Of those,
290,000 have a hearing loss that
is a disability. But a report to the
Australian Senate in May 2010 states
one in six people in that country with
hearing loss, while in Britain, the ratio
is much the same.
One in six New Zealanders equates to
727,950 people.
Regardless of the exact numbers,
the Hearing Impaired make up the
biggest sensory disability group in
New Zealand and based on Australian
research, it costs the New Zealand
economy around $1.8 billion a year
in lost production. But the issue is a
human one. It is one of struggle and
frustration, but also one of triumph
and beating the odds.
Hearing Week this year focuses on the
various faces of Hearing Impairment.

“We are a huge and diverse group,
but one that is generally below the
radar,” says Louise Carroll, CEO of

the National Foundation for the Deaf
which promotes Hearing Week.

“Part of that is our own fault because
one of our first responses to hearing
loss is to deny and try to hide it. If we
don‘t hear something properly the first
time, we may ask again, but sooner or
later we give up and make a guess.
“We struggle in background noise such
as in social functions, and the first
instinct is not to go there in the first
place. We struggle to hear in shops,
we struggle to hear in public transport,
we struggle in situations where we
can’t clearly see the face of the person
talking, in the end our whole life
becomes an exhausting struggle of
trying to communicate and integrate.
“But ultimately we can’t give up. The
face of Hearing Impairment is also the
face of determination.”

and please, do not shout as it is
humiliating and makes hearing even
more difficult.
She said it was also aimed at
decision-makers from government
to corporations to make them
understand the size of the issue and
to encourage them to look at how
they can help.
“It’s easy to dump the issue at the
feet of the government and expect
some sort of solution, but it is an
issue for all of us,” she said. “For
every person with a hearing loss,
eight or more people are affected
– family, friends and workmates.
“The issue for all of them –
government, corporations and others
– is that helping those with Hearing
Impairment is an investment and
one that ultimately pays significant
dividends.”

Mrs Carroll said Hearing Week aims
to present all the faces of Hearing
Impairment, to make those who live
with hearing loss realise they are
not alone and there are a number of
organisations that can help them. It is
also a golden opportunity for all Kiwis
to consider how they communicate
with each other and to learn how to
become hearing aids by gaining our
attention; speaking a little slower;
please face us; keep your lips clear

Cochlear Limited delivers the world’s most reliable
cochlear implant, developed to provide unrivalled hearing
performance. Talk to your healthcare professional or visit
www.cochlear.com to find out more.

Health

10. Avoid cotton wool

Ageing

Don’t use cotton wool instead of earplugs.
Cotton wool offers no hearing protection at all.
It can also damage the ear if pushed too far in.

As we age, our hearing ages too, and
almost everyone will experience the clarity of
our hearing slowly reduce. High pitched sounds
are always the first to become difficult to hear.

Hearing Loss Causes
There are several causes of hearing
deterioration or loss. Here are some of the
most common.
Wax build up
Wax is produced naturally in the ear canal to
help keep it clean and to protect the eardrum.
When some people produce more wax than
others, it can build up to block the ear canal
and reduce hearing.
In most cases, the wax is carefully removed
by a doctor. If you try to remove the wax from
your ears yourself, you risk pushing it further
into your ear or damaging the eardrum and
causing permanent damage.
Ear infection
In a child, ear infections such as glue ear can
seriously affect progress at school. But ear
infections can be satisfactorily treated. If you or
your child has a painful or discharging ear, or
you suspect your child has glue ear, see your
doctor immediately.

Damage to the eardrum
Never put any foreign
objects in or near
your ear canal.

A perforated or ruptured eardrum will cause
some hearing loss. The eardrum may heal
itself naturally or be repaired with surgery.
But if you have a perforated eardrum, wear
earplugs when swimming to stop water
entering your ear.

Accidents
If you received head injuries in an accident
your hearing could be damaged. Loud blasts
can rupture or perforate the eardrums. So can
a fall in a high speed water sport, like water
skiing.
Rubella and pregnancy
Some children are born deaf and there are
many reasons why this occurs. Sometimes, if a
mother had rubella (German measles) during
the third month of her pregnancy, there is a
risk that the baby will be born deaf. Also, if
a birth is difficult and the baby doesn’t get
enough oxygen, deafness can also occur. Other
causes of deafness at birth can be advised by a
doctor or specialist.
Meningitis
In some cases, meningitis is known to cause
hearing impairment or deafness.
Excessive noise
Being exposed to loud noise for a short time
will cause temporary hearing loss. But very
loud, long or repeated exposure will cause
permanent hearing loss. The louder the noise,
the shorter the time before your
hearing is damaged.

Drugs
Several drugs can damage your hearing. If you
are taking medicine and you think your hearing
is being affected, tell your doctor.

www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Autumn 2011 | 21

Health

Hundreds of thousands
of Kiwi women share a
common, silent secret.
Most suffer in silence, wait
years before seeking help.

and are necessary for sexual functioning.
Ideally these muscles - like any other skeletal
muscles - need to be strong, responsive
and coordinated. While there are many
different types of pelvic floor dysfunction,
the most common type occurs when they
are weakened. This often results in stress
incontinence: the involuntary leakage of urine
on exertion or effort.

Often when they finally do reach out, many
are shocked to find that their problem is quite
easily treatable. Even more devastating is the
news they are unintentionally making their
secret problem worse… How? By working out
and exercising.

The New Zealand Continence Association
reveals that these problems are surprisingly
common:

“I was getting so frustrated with the same
story every week,” says Lisa Yates, women’s
health physiotherapist. “Women were amazed
by how common their problem was and
annoyed that they had been potentially making
it worse by doing certain exercises…I have
also noticed over the years a growing concern
amongst continence practitioners, seeing the
same story over and over.”

• One in three women who have ever had a
baby suffers from some form of incontinence.
• Loss of bladder and bowel control regularly
affects nearly 600,000 Kiwis with around
80% of these being women.

Many of these women are in key life stages,
such as childbearing or menopause and
many will coincidentally be participating in a
myriad of exercise. This presents a dilemma to
continence professionals who recognise that
exercise is a key part of maintaining health, but
that the wrong type of exercise may worsen
With increasing emphasis placed on the
pelvic floor dysfunction. When problems such
importance of physical activity, many New
and urinary incontinence or vaginal prolapse
Zealand women are now regularly participating occur, many women withdraw from physical
in some form of exercise programme. While
activity altogether, which can start a whole
this is good news for the fitness industry,
cycle of ongoing health concerns.
repeated stress on the pelvic floor caused by
many common exercises such as running, and The New Zealand Continence Association
is committed to providing professional and
certain types of abdominal work can worsen
public education and promotes research into
the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and
incontinence and related problems. They are
stress incontinence.
determined to try and break this cycle of
When the pelvic floor muscles work well,
activity withdrawal from continence related
they play a key role in maintaining urinary
problems. The good news is that robust
incontinence. They support the pelvic organs
clinical trails have proven the effectiveness of

Pelvic floor muscle training in treating stress
incontinence, with a cure rate of up to 84%.
Despite this, many women are still unaware
that this common problem can be effectively
treated with professional advice from a
women’s health physiotherapist or trained
continence practitioner.
While our television screens are filled with
pleasant advertisements assuring that “pads”
will solve their “laughable” problem, an
important message isn’t getting through.
Incontinence may be “common” but is not
“normal” and women should not have to
suffer in silence.
A compounding factor is that many public
hospitals and birthing units in New Zealand no
longer provide women with important pelvic
floor education post-natally. While post natal
classes were once mainstream, shorter hospital
stays and ongoing budget cuts have seen a
steep decline in this sort of education.
“It is after pregnancy and birth when the
muscles have been stretched and weakened,
that the pelvic floor is the most vulnerable and
correct education is vital.” says Lisa. Women
are bombarded with increasing media pressure

to regain their pre-baby figure, which often
results in women returning to intense exercise
too soon and ending up with problems…This is
heavily reinforced in our culture of abdominal
strengthening - People still believe that doing
curl-ups will flatten their stomachs post-baby.
But it is exactly these types of exercises, done
by “at risk” woman that can exacerbate or
even cause pelvic floor dysfunction.”
To provide education to women the NZ
Continence Association is launching the Pelvic
Floor First campaign this year. They will run
one day courses for midwives and fitness
professionals in Auckland, Wellington, Rangiora
and New Plymouth and also encouraging
continence professionals to hold 1-2 hour
public education session in venues all around
NZ during World Continence Week (WCW)
20-26 June 2011.

For free information phone 0800 650 659
or visit www.continence.org.nz Check the
website prior to WCW for an education
session near you.

Health

By Dr Nick Crock

In the wake of the
global obesity epidemic,
diabetes is a growing
problem in New Zealand
and worldwide. Current
estimates put the number
of New Zealanders with
diabetes (predominantly
type 2), at around 200,000,
with another 100,000 who
do not know they have
the disease.
Results from well-designed studies show that
good control of blood sugar levels is associated
with better long term outcomes and fewer
complications from diabetes.
In addition there seems to be a “legacy”
effect from good blood glucose control now,
that pays dividends years in the future (good
glucose control early in the disease process
results in lifelong benefits).
Patients are exhorted to keep blood glucose
levels within the normal range to minimise the
long term risks of complications. The national
target is to get everyone with diabetes to have
an HbA1c (the long term measure of blood
glucose control) at seven percent or below,

which equates to near normal average blood
glucose levels.
One tool to help people with diabetes walk
the tightrope of good glucose control is selfmonitoring of blood glucose levels (SMBG). In
New Zealand we actually spend more on the
means to test blood glucose levels than we
spend on the drugs that we use to control the
blood glucose level itself.
This begs the question “Are we testing too
much?” or at the very least “Are we testing in
the most appropriate manner?”
So who, why and when should someone with
diabetes benefit from testing their own glucose
levels to get the best possible outcome? In my
opinion, the answer is like many in medicine
– it needs to be individualised, but there are
some potential rules of thumb. Probably the
easiest to answer is the who:

learn more about my diabetes”, “to see if I
got the dose of insulin right”, “to change my
diet and see what happens”, “to see what
effect that run had on my blood glucose” – or
more generally “so that I’ll know how to deal
with my diabetes better next time I do those
things”. Why, is ultimately about empowering
yourself.
Regarding the ‘when’, I think the utility of
“routine” testing is of doubtful benefit for
a lot of people. From a purely theoretical
standpoint, doing something for the sake of
it doesn’t serve any useful purpose. On the
other hand, focussed or targeted testing which

aims to assist with day to day life, answer a
question, or improve glycaemic control makes
considerably more sense.
So the next time you take out your blood
glucose meter to check what your capillary
blood glucose level is, ask yourself
“Why am I doing this?”
If you can’t think of a good answer then you
probably need some more advice, or education
about what to do with the result. That’s where
your primary care team and specialist diabetes
teams come in.

• Anyone who is on insulin, whether they have
type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Some people on sulphonylureas (drugs which
lower blood glucose by stimulating more
insulin release)
• Some people who are unwell
• Some people who have dysglycaemia (either
high or low blood glucose levels).
Why, could be for many reasons, but all too
frequently I’m told that it’s “because the doctor
expects me to”.
For me the only reason for doing a test is to
find something out. So why should be “to

www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Autumn 2011 | 23

Health

Build your immune
system to get ready for
winter’s onslaught
It’s that time of the year again —
the days are shorter, there is less
sunshine, the skies are often grey,
and the air is becoming chilly.

important active ingredient ‘Oleuropein’.
Oleuropein is attributed to giving Olive Leaf
it’s potent immune enhancing properties.
Without this active ingredient Oleuropein, Olive
Leaf has a much lesser effect. The Olive tree
is among the oldest known cultivated trees
For a good number of people the winter
in the world and it’s fruit and leaves have
months can be spent battling some type
been used for centuries in folk medicine. It’s
of lurgy that leaves them feeling under the
popularity has increased in more recent times
weather at best, and bedridden at worst. While as it’s many actions and proven effectiveness
our immune system is adept at maintaining a
make this one of the most sought after herbs
healthy equilibrium most of the time, certain
for treating a multitude of health conditions
circumstances can lead to our immunity
particularly immune related. Herbalists also
becoming overwhelmed and unable to cope.
utilise the herbs Astragalus, Pau d’Arco and
Andrographis in their winter formulations. All
So what is it about the advent of the cooler
seasons that brings about an increase in winter manner of health problems can benefit from
their immune modulating actions. Our immune
ills and chills? Each year sees the arrival of a
system is also adversely affected by even
new generation of potential problems for our
moderate degrees of zinc deficiency. Zinc is
health, and while our immune system has
required for the development and activation of
the ability to mount a successful response
T-lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cell that
against a substance it has encountered and
helps our immune system function optimally.
overcome before, it will not recognise a
changed or mutated substance. Some of the
Lifestyle recommendations
common signs that your immune system is
¢
Vitamin C helps prevent viruses multiplying.
under functioning can include lethargy and
Citrus fruit, feijoas, kiwifruit, broccoli and
fatigue, wounds that are slow to heal, cold
capsicum are good food sources and
sores, sensitivities to certain foods, animal hair
supplementing with extra vitamin C is
and pollens and more than one or two winter
also recommended.
ailments a year.
¢
Cut back on nutrient depleting
The immune system is the equivalent of a
habits such as alcohol, sugary
personal army, it is composed of a complex
foods, fast foods and smoking.
assortment of physical barriers (skin, mucus
membranes and associated secretions),
lymphatic vessels and organs, immune cells
capable of recognising and eliminating foreign
invaders, and chemical mediators integral to
the immune response.
The immune system has the phenomenal task
of protecting against the onslaught of bacteria,
viruses, fungi and parasites that continually
assail the body. These pathogens (disease
causing organisms) may be airborne, reside in
food and soil, and can lurk for long periods on
commonly used objects such as money and
doorknobs. Some even live naturally in and on
the body and are kept in check by a healthy
immune system. However if immune defences
are weakened or the pathogens overwhelm
normal resistance, mild or serious states of
illness can eventuate.
Our immune system is an extraordinarily
complex network of cells that have the ability
to communicate with each other, recognise
substances that are harmful to the body, and
then mount an immune response to prevent
a person becoming unwell. Because of this
complexity, it is not surprising that the immune
system relies on a constant supply of nutrients
in the form of vitamins and minerals to carry
out its work efficiently. Additionally, lifestyle
factors such as prolonged stress, poor nutrition,
inadequate sleep, cigarettes, alcohol and
recreational drugs, endurance exercise and
some prescription medications all adversely
affect the strength of our immune system.
Of all the herbal remedies used for helping
immune function Olive Leaf is perhaps the
most effective as long it contains the all

¢
Keep warm and drink plenty
of fluids. A rise in body
temperature makes viral
replication and survival difficult,
and hydration is important to
prevent mucus membranes
from becoming dry and
vulnerable to invasion.
¢
Wash hands regularly. As well
as being airborne viruses
survive for long periods on
surfaces such as door knobs,
taps, money and other
people’s hands.
¢
Frequently clean all commonly
used surfaces with disinfectant
when someone in the house
is unwell, don’t share eating
utensils and throw away all
tissues immediately after use.
¢
Get adequate sleep — lack
of sleep is linked to poor
immune function; and employ
good stress management
techniques — stress is a
known immune depressant.
Good Health’s comprehensive
Viralex® range of immune system
support products provides a broad
spectrum of effective and essential
ingredients to assist health and well-being
for the whole family. Viralex® combines
key herbal extracts and nutrients to support
the body’s natural immune response. Viralex®
Childrens’ liquid and chewable tablets are

suitable for children as
young as three years.
The Viralex® range
can be taken to
support immune
function before the
onslaught of ills,
and in higher doses
if you feel unwell.
There is no need to
wait until you feel
under the weather
before you start
supporting your
immune system —
if you know you are
tired and stressed,
or know you often
get ill at this time of
year, then start work on
building your immune
system.

www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Autumn 2011 | 25

Health

Modern life has enough
stresses impacting our
health and well-being
without illness or disease
playing a part. There are
things that we can do with just a few changes to
our lives we can be much
healthier and happier,
reduce stress and more
effectively ward off various
health issues.
I’m never going to claim that any of these tips
will cure any ailment, if you have an issue

which concerns you then you should go see
an expert. People have gotten some amazing
results from changing their habits, changing
diets, adding quality supplements, changing
attitudes and so on.
It doesn’t take a daily two hour workout at
the gym (not that that’s a bad thing) and it
doesn’t involve going 100 percent macrobiotic
or something.
Dehydration is a subtle problem that affects
many of us. The effects show up as diminished
efficiency, fuzzy headedness, and other
problems that can be caused by many things.
You’ve heard about drinking those ‘Eight to Ten
Glasses of Water a Day’. This cleans out toxins
and helps the body function much better. I
keep a sports bottle (non-plastic) by my desk
and sip constantly.

Add movement to your life. Park further so you
walk between the car and the stops, or take
steps instead of elevators. Find ways to add
some fun exercise to your routine. You don’t
have to run a marathon. Simply add a little
more walking to your routine. Increase it on a
regular basis.

Eat a large variety of fresh produce, the more
richly coloured the better, and supplement your
diet with high quality vitamins and minerals
if your dietary intake is still inadequate; some
minerals are depleted in soil and we cannot
get them through food alone. In general, fresh
foods are more nutritious than packaged foods.

Take time to relax. Allow yourself to destress at least once a day. Find a little corner
somewhere to hide out with a book, or catch
up with a friend. The occasional massage or
spa time is a nice treat too.

Eat vegetables every day. Vegetables provide
vitamins, minerals and fibre. Many are known
to help protect against various degenerative
diseases including cancer. The fresher the
better. The more darkly coloured then better.
Yes, I know I mentioned it above. It bears
repeating. This may be the single best thing
you can do for yourself.

A really basic health and wellness tip; Get
adequate sleep. This may involve changing
your routine, but less stress and better
health may be worth it. Getting a decent
mattress may help a lot. Take the TV out of the
bedroom.

Laugh. Let humour enter your life. One of the
easiest ways of being healthier is to find a way
to relax more and have more fun.

Healthy Alternatives provide wellness programs and
coaching to help people use food as their medicine,
through fitting the food to the individual. Their
Wellington clinic is open for appointments, and
telephone/skype consultations are available for out of
town clients. For more information call 0508 2 BE WELL.

Discover which foods
are making you sick
www.beallergyfree.net.nz
Visit us at the

Gluten Free Food and Allergy Shows
For 17 years John used
a barrage of creams and
steroid ointments in an
attempt to control the
eczema which was all
over his body.
Seasonally he also struggled with hay fever,
and twice daily antihistamines, nasal sprays
and eye drops were an unwelcome part of
his daily routine.
As an active sportsman, John struggled as his
participation made the eczema worse and
hampered his enjoyment. “I couldn’t handle
extremes in temperature, as either hot or cold
made my skin flare up. When I was physically
active I started to itch and it interfered with
my focus.”

John was advised to remove gluten, dairy and
egg from his diet. But despite many months
following these dietary restrictions, he was
still breaking out. Then in 2008 he took a
Biocompatibility Test from Healthy Alternatives
and started their 6-month programme. By
successfully identifying and eliminating
other reactive foods in his diet, John stopped
breaking out within 5 weeks. After all he
had tried, John was amazed it was so easy. “I
thought it was going to be painful, but all I had
to do was provide a hair sample. The results
came back quickly and the programme was
very easy to follow”.
Through the biocompatibility testing, John
discovered which foods were making him sick
and which he could safely enjoy. He is still
eczema and hay fever free today.
To find out more about biocompatibility
testing and how it can benefit you, visit
www.beallergyfree.net.nz or
call 0508 2 BE WELL

Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD),
which is also known
as Chronic Obstructive
Respiratory Disease (CORD),
is an umbrella term that
covers emphysema and
chronic bronchitis.
And it is estimated that one in seven Kiwis
45 and over has one of these illnesses. Put
another way, that’s about 200,000
New Zealand adults.
COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in
adults in New Zealand following heart disease,
cancer and stroke.

So what is COPD?
With emphysema the air sacs in the lungs
have been destroyed to the extent that people
have difficulty absorbing enough oxygen.
The airways of people with chronic bronchitis

By Malcolm Aitken

become narrower, inflamed and produce
excessive mucus.
Signs of having a COPD include coughing,
increased phlegm and breathlessness. If you
experience these symptoms or someone that
you care about does, a medical professional
should definitely be consulted.
Smoking is by far the biggest contributing
factor to COPD. However, there is a rare
hereditary factor known to cause COPD too.
Severe Alpha-1 Antritrypsin Deficiency is
a recessive trait most common in people
with northern European genes as part of
their genetic make up. In smokers with the
deficiency, COPD develops much faster.
Less than five percent of COPD cases are
attributable to this hereditary factor though.

Asthma Foundation’s COPD support
The Asthma Foundation is at the forefront in
the fight against COPD. It puts a lot of work
into raising public awareness of COPD via its
website, news releases and publications –
including theCordially Yours (which comes out
each year in March and September) and the
Asthma and Respiratory News, which comes
out in March, July and November each year.

28 | Summer 2011 www.awarenesstoday.co.nz

a quarterly magazine The Foundation also
teaches health professionals such as nurses
about COPD via its Asthma Fundamentals
programme at Whitireia Community
Polytechnic in Porirua, near Wellington.

World COPD Day is on Wednesday 16
November 2011. For more information you
can visit the Asthma Foundation’s website
on www.asthamfoundation.org.nz

And the programme was recently revamped to
include a section devoted to COPD.

A number of COPD support groups, which run
group exercises and provide a social network,
exist in New Zealand. To find the one nearest
to you visit www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/
contactus/copdgroups.

Less smoking means less COPD
As an active member of the Smokefree
Coalition, the Asthma Foundation lobbies
Members of Parliament in support of smoke
free legislation and other tools in the fight
against the big tobacco lobby.
One important initiative for the Asthma
Foundation is that together with the
organisation Action on Smoking and Health
(ASH), they present and administer the
Smokefree Retailers Awards. Retailers who
stop selling cigarettes or at least take down
their smoking power wall displays, provided by
the tobacco companies, are recognised with a
certificate. The awards have been presented
all around Aotearoa and have attracted
considerable media attention.

Support groups

It is also important for people with COPD to
take their medication as prescribed, follow a
self management plan and visit their health
team regularly (plans are available on the
Asthma Foundation’s website at
www.asthmafoundation.org.nz).
There are lots of people who can support
individuals with who want to support people
with COPD. It is important that poorly build a
relationship with their doctor, practice nurse,
asthma educator and pharmacist, or any
combination thereof. Following their advice
should help them reduce the number of
symptoms they have to deal with.

Health

For many people, regular eye examinations are
often down the bottom of their ‘to do’ list.
However the team at Richard Suckling
Optometrists maintain that this can lead to
increased risk of glaucoma and other eye
problems that could easily have been avoided.
“Glaucoma is a silent disease that often starts
around the age of 40, affecting the peripheral
vision,” office manager Beverley Berrichi says.
“But with regular eye examinations it can be
detected in the very early stages, and this is
especially important for people with a family
history of glaucoma as it can be inherited.”
Richard Suckling Optometrists has been
operating from Barrington Mall for more than
30 years and has gained a reputation for its
professional service and quality products. Two
highly qualified optometrists work onsite, with
Christine Cooney also being able to dispense
prescriptions. Owner Richard Suckling has
been practising optometry since the
mid-seventies, and is dedicated
to providing the best possible
service to his patients.
Investment in the latest
technology enables the
practice to effectively
detect a wide range of
eye diseases, including
macular degeneration and
cataracts. A digital retinal
camera takes photos so
health of the eye can be
monitored, and a scanning laser enables retinal
nerve fibre analysis to be carried out – allowing
the detection of glaucoma up to five years
earlier than conventional methods.
Specialising in contact lenses, Richard Suckling
Optometrists has an array of options available
for those playing contact sport, or simply for
the more fashion conscious.
Frame and lens packages start at around $128
for single vision lens, an example of how the
practice is committed to providing quality
products at attractive prices.
“We try to keep our frame prices as low as
possible, with the average price being around
$250 for some really nice styles,” Berrichi says.

associated with Southern Cross and SuperGold
Card holders. AA Rewards are also offered.
Additional services and products include
sunglasses, prescription safety spectacles and
the latest accessories.

Richard Suckling Optometrists:
Advice for healthy vision
• Wear good sunglasses
• Ensure there is sufficient light when reading
• Make sure children do not sit too close to the
television, and if reading on their stomach
ensure that the book is at least elbow length
away to avoid the development of shortsightedness
• Do not underestimate the importance of
regular and thorough eye examinations,
especially for those aged over 40

We’re
EyePro’s
Don’t take chances with
your eyes.
They’re just too important
to risk getting it wrong.

“We do have an advantage as we deal with
quite a few independent wholesalers, which
results in a wider selection at better prices.”
The practice belongs to the EyePro Eyecare
group, which has added benefits for customers

Available from Richard Suckling Optometrist

www.awarenesstoday.co.nz Autumn 2011 | 29

Health

We all know what it’s like
when you wake up after
a bad night’s sleep. Your
back hurts. Your neck is
stiff. You can’t concentrate
so you hit the coffee and
sugary energy drinks.
You might feel grumpy and snap at someone
who doesn’t deserve it. Not only does a bad
night’s sleep make you feel run over, but
getting a good night’s sleep is right up there
with eating well and exercising regularly to
keep your body and mind in tip top
working order.
Dreamwool has the answer to all of your
sleep problems. Started 35 years ago by
ex-farmers who knew the incredible health
properties of wool, it has evolved over the
years to become one of New Zealand’s leading
bed and bedding suppliers.

Wonderful wool
The team at Dreamwool considers wool to
be one of nature’s greatest inventions. “The
natural crimp of the fibre cushions the body
in a way that synthetics can only struggle
to emulate. Unlike other manufacturers, we
never mix our wool with synthetics to pad it
out. That might deceive in the showroom, but
the difference would be very clear after only a
few nights’ use,” Dreamwool manager David
Henderson says.

a solid matt as lower quality wools can,”
Henderson says.

underlays or the various other products now
appearing on the market,” Henderson stresses.

Not only that, but the combination of
Southdown wool and natural latex for a
bedding is also dust repellent (reducing
likelihood of an allergic reaction) is anti-static
and naturally anti-bacterial – so theres no
harmful vapours released as you sleep. Wool
also has the ability to breathe; therefore it
controls the bed’s microclimate making it cool
in summer and warm in winter.

“Most contain much less wool (some with less
than a quarter of Dreamwool’s product). Not
only will they fail to provide the proven health
benefits that thousands of Dreamwool users
enjoy but they tend to flatten badly with use.
By comparison, Dreamwool underquilts retain
their resilience and their comfort.”

Dreamwool sells a range of mattress options,
and the team encourages you and your partner
to visit the shop and decide what feels right
for you both. There are also wool pillows and
under-quilts for sale.
Dreamwool’s luxury wool pillow came about
after years of research and development.
“Epitomizing our quest for excellence, the
Dreamwool pillow with its quilted cotton cover
and wool filling offers two comfort options,
with the ability to adjust the filling to your
needs. These pillows are ideal for anyone
suffering neck and shoulder discomfort,”
Henderson says.
The original New Zealand underquilt made
by Dreamwool almost 30 years ago is still
unique in its effectiveness but is now even
more comfortable, because Dreamwool has
added a stretch cotton fabric with allergyreducing properties.
“Dreamwool’s underquilts must not be
confused with sheep skin rugs, woven

Crafted beds

If you’d prefer something with New Zealand
wood, look no further than a Rose and Heather
bed crafted from ancient Kauri, or try a
minimalistic slat frame made from Southland
Beech timber. It can be stained to your colour
of choice and all size options are available.
Why not visit Dreamwool’s Blenheim Road
shop today and see the quality beds and
bedding it has been making for 35 years. Get a
good night’s sleep and see the improvements
in your physical and mental health!

We all have different bodies and a mattress
that’s right for one person might be terrible for
another. Dreamwool’s Ergosleep mattresses,
Dreamwool Limited
using scientific technology, ensure the mattress 105 Blenheim Road,
you buy is right for you.
Christchurch
T (03) 343 5105
All this takes is a trip to the Ergosleep testing
F (03) 343 5107
studio. The computer maps out your DNA
E sales@dreamwool.com
(personal physical profile) and then your
Ergosleep slats are completely adjusted to suit www.dreamwool.com
your body.
Dreamwool sells beautiful
beds that will turn your
bedroom into something
out of a magazine. Firstly
there’s a range of beds
crafted in the idyllic town
of Richelieu, France.
For centuries master
craft makers have been
creating beds and other
furniture in this town,
and Dreamwool is the
only New Zealand seller
of these handcrafted,
elegant beds.

Wool provides the healthiest sleeping
environment. Believe it or not, the average
person loses about 200ml to 500ml of
moisture in perspiration each night. Unlike
synthetics, wool has the natural ability to
absorb this moisture and even out your body’s
temperature so your sleep isn’t disturbed.
Synthetics do not absorb moisture so readily,
resulting in fluctuating temperatures, a clammy
feeling and an interrupted sleep.
At Dreamwool, only the best quality wool
is used in its mattresses. “Because our
Southdown wool is of such high quality (thanks
to the Southdown Breeders Group), it retains
its springy texture and does not squash into

Pleased to support Dreamwool Beds
Providing accounting, taxation and business and management
advice to individuals and businesses of all sizes throughout
Christchurch and New Zealand.

Private Wool Buyers & Exporters of Quality Wool
Why is New Zealand wool the best in the world?
New Zealand has the “clean, green” image for a reason – our
abundant pastures! We have lush green grass available all year
round. Our wool naturally has a unique colour and textile strength
and is practically free of vegetable matter as well as being whiter
than other varieties of stock bred elsewhere in the world.

“It has been almost a year since I switched and Chynna is doing great”
After the recall scare, I decided to switch dog food for then
11 year old terrier mix dog, Chynna. The food she was on
was not one of the recall but she has been having bladder
infections her entire life, and was overweight despite giving
her a food for overweight dogs. After reading about all the
stuff that was in other dog foods and all the great reviews
for Canidae, I decided to let her try it.
It has been almost a year since I switched and Chynna is
doing great. She has lost close to five pounds, has a lot of

energy and no bladder infections. I adopted another dog six
months ago and immediately threw away the food the pound
gave and started her on the Canidae All Life Stages dry food
formula. Canidae is more expensive than other food, but the
money that I saved in medicine for bladder infections and vet
visits more than make up for it.
One thing to be thankful for with the food recall, it made me
more aware about the nutrition of my dogs.
Linda, Houston

“Thank you for making a great pet food”
I just wanted to say that I recently switched my two dogs to
Canidae All Life Stages and it is wonderful. They are both
doing great on it and their coats have never looked better.
If I can budget it in I plan to switch our two cats to Felidae

when the bag of food we currently have runs out. I’m sure
they will do equally as well on it. Thank you for making a
great pet food and saving me, I’m sure, hundreds in future
vet bills.

How to order
All orders are couriered to your door FREE.
If you place your order by 2.00pm most orders
are received within 48 hours, unless it’s
a rural delivery.

Simply go to our website www.canidae.co.nz
or call us toll free on 0800 101 729 and ask for
a FREE sample and information pack, or place
your order today.

If you suffer from itchy, red skin as well as sore joints, you
could have a condition called psoriatic arthritis.

The good news is that there is a medication called HUMIRA that
can effectively treat this condition.1

What is psoriatic arthritis?1
It is a chronic inflammatory disease which occurs when the body’s
immune system overproduces a protein called tumor necrosis
factor (TNF) which attacks healthy cells and tissues. This can cause
stiffness and swelling in your joints, and an overproduction of skin
cells which leads to itchy, red plaques on your skin. If left untreated,
psoriatic arthritis can lead to limited movement and joint damage.

How can HUMIRA help?1,2
HUMIRA is a clinically proven treatment that has been shown to help
stop the destructive action of the TNF protein. HUMIRA can help
bring effective relief by reducing joint inflammation and improving
skin symptoms.

Symptoms of early psoriatic arthritis can include:1
• Tender, swollen joints • Red, itchy, flaky skin • Pain and stiffness in
the back and neck • Nail changes, for example, nails that become
pitted and discoloured • Morning stiffness • General fatigue.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HUMIRA
Humira is a Prescription Medicine containing 40 mg adalimumab per syringe or pen. It is used for reducing the signs and symptoms and slowing the progression of joint damage in adult
patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, including patients with recently diagnosed moderate to severely active disease who have not received methotrexate. It also treats the signs
and symptoms of moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis in patients where response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs has been inadequate. You should not start Humira if you
have an infection, including an infection that is only in one place (such as an open cut or sore) or an infection that is in your whole body (such as the ’flu). Tell your doctor if you have a history of
recurrent infections or other conditions that increase the risk of infections. Tell your doctor if you live(d) or have travelled to countries where there is more risk for certain kinds of fungal infections
(histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or bastomycosis). These infections may develop or become more severe if you take Humira. Tell your doctor if you have ever had Hepatitis B or been in
contact with someone with Hepatitis B. Before starting Humira, your doctor should check you for signs and symptoms of tuberculosis (TB). Tell your doctor if you have ever had TB, or if you have
been in close contact with someone with TB. If symptoms of TB (a dry cough that doesn’t go away, weight loss, fever, night sweats), or symptoms of any other infections appear during therapy,
tell your doctor immediately. Tell your doctor if you experience any numbness or tingling, or have ever had a disease that affects your nervous system, like multiple sclerosis, or if you experience
allergic reactions such as a severe rash, swollen face or difficulty breathing, or if you have liver or kidney problems, or chest pain. Check with your doctor before you receive any vaccine. Tell your
doctor if you are taking anakinra or about any other medicines you are taking. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, or are thinking about becoming pregnant. The
most common side effects of Humira are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, rash, urinary tract infection, weakness, injection site pain, injection site reactions, nausea and diarrhoea.
Humira is fully subsidised on Specialist Authority for rheumatoid arthrtis and severe psoriatic arthritis – special conditions apply. Medicines have benefits, and some have risks.
Always read the Label and use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue, or you have side effects, consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. For further advice on your treatment, please discuss
with your doctor. Normal doctor’s visit fees apply. Abbott Laboratories NZ Ltd. 4 Pacific Rise, Mt Wellington, Auckland. For further information, please call Freephone
0800 73 72 71. REFERENCES: 1. Abbott Laboratories, HUMIRA Psoriatic Arthritis 2010 http://www.humira.com/psa/ 2. Humira Approved Data Sheet v19. 3.
Pharmac Schedule NZ. December 2010;17(3):101-105. a. Humira Approved Data Sheet. ® Registered Trademark. TAPS PP9285. HUM 809-1210-1. THA PAZ001